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Jan. 21, 1930.

Filed April 25, 1928 J. J. GOETZ CHARCOAL HEATER 2 Sheets-Sheet l I /e I/ /3 1 1 /5 a WWW M 24- Z4- 3a 34 5 3/ .k. w 7 [hi i (I (D 0 o 0 474 46% I N VEN TOR.

A TTORNEY' J. J. GOETZ CHARCOAL HEATER Jan. 21, 1930.

Filed April 25, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

mMM M A TTORNE Y.

Patented Jan. 21, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JULIUS J. GOETZ, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN METAL SPECIALTY COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, \VISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCON- SIN CHARCOAL HEATER Application filed April 25,

This invention relates generally to heaters and more particularly to the portable type of charcoal heater especially designed for use in freight cars or the like containing food products such as fruit and vegetables, and operating to protect the contents of the car from freezing or damage due to low temperature.

Car heaters of this character usually include a casing containing a fire pot and also a hopper or other means for storing a supply of charcoal or other fuel and for feeding the charcoal to the fire pot. Frequently with heaters of this character it is desirable to shut off the heater before the entire supply of charcoal or other fuel has been burned and in all previous devices this purpose has been accomplished by means of a sliding feed cut-off plate mounted in guides traversing the passage leading from the hopper to the lire pot and movable to two positions, in one of which it blocks the passage and shuts off the feed, and in the other of which it leaves the feed passage substantially unobstructed. In all prior devices the feed cutoff plate has been adjusted or moved by means of an operating handle disposed exteriorly of the easing.

This type of feed cut-off has been disadvanta eous and objectionable for a number In the first place, the sliding plate when moved to closed position must cut its way through the fuel and in so doing is liable to be distorted and to wedge particles of the fuel into its guides whereby the guides are distorted and the plate jammed or stuck therein. Another serious objection follows from the use of the exterior operating memher which presents a projection beyond the casing liable to be struck or fouled when the heater is being shifted or transported.

These heaters, being used largely in freight ars, are subjected to very severe usage and it has been a matter of common experience that the exterior operating members of the cut-oif plates are frequently broken or inj urcd when the heaters are handled, thereby making it impossible to operate the feed out off.

Below the fire pot an ash receiver or an 1928. Serial No. 272,590.

ash pit of some kind is provided and usually there is also some structure for regulating the flow of air within the lower part of the casing. Due to the rough usage which these heaters meet with and to the fact that they are sometimes accidentally or carelessly dropped off of freight cars the lower ends thereof and the structure in the lower ends frequently become damaged and must be replaced or repaired and with all previous constructions is has been necessary to more or less completely take down or disassemble the entire heater or the major elements thereof to replace or repair the elements contained in the lower end of the heater and most frequently damaged.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a car heater of this character having a novel fuel feed cutoff which is so constructed and so organized with the heater as not to be liable to be bent or jammed when shifted from open to closed position and which has associated therewith a novel operating mechanism contained entirely within the heater casing and accessible through the upper end thereof whereby no external projections are presented which are liable to be fouled or injured in the handling of the heater.

Another object of the invention is to provide a heater which is so constructed that the elements contained in the lower end thereof may be removed and replaced or repaired without disturbing the assembly of the major elements of the heater.

A further object resides in the provision of means for reinforcing the heater casing and for facilitating the placing of the heater in the compartment of the car and withdrawal of the heater therefrom.

Other objects and advantages reside in certain novel features of the construction, arrangement and combination of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which:

Figure 1 is a view in diametric vertical section showing a car heater embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view; Figure 3 is a view in horizontal section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a similar sectional view taken on line 44 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a sectional View taken on line 5-5 of Figure 1; and

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the cover taken on line 66 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the casing of the heater which is usually a corrugated sheet metal cylinder. 15 In the upper portion of the casing a feed hopper 2 is provided and has an annular flangle 3 around its upper end riveted as at 4 to t e casing 1 The hopper inclines inwardly and downwardly and terminates in a 20 flanged opening 5 of rectangular cross section.

A feed throat 6 is provided and in the upper end of this throat the flange at the lower end of the hopper 2 is snugly fitted. The upper portion of the throat 6 is of rectangular cross 25 section but this upper portion merges into a tapering lower section 7 of circular cross section.

A fire pot and deflector assembly, to be hereinafter fully described, is associated with the lower end of the throat and is supported on the casing. For supporting this fire pot and deflector assembly brackets 8 are riveted tethe inside of the casing 1 and extend inwardly and upwardly from the casing as illustrated in Figure 1, the brackets terminating in supporting portions 9 which engage the underside of a conical spark deflector 10 surrounding the throat 6 and having an opening receiving the lower end of the throat. The lower section 7 of the throat is provided with an outwardly directed crimp 11 which over- -lies and engages the margin of the opening 10' of the deflector 10 so that the brackets 8 not only support the deflector 10 but also support the throat 6. The brackets 8 also carry a spark deflector collar 12, the collar 12 being riveted as at 13 to these brackets 8.

The fire pot includes a conical top section 14 slotted as at 15 and formed with an in turned flange 16 around its upper end, the flange 16 engaging the periphery of the lower end of the throat 6 just below the deflector 10 and being fastened to the deflector 10 and to the throat 6 by means of an out-turned flange 17 formed 011 the lower end of the throat. The fire pot also includes a short cylindrical body portion 18 which has a circumferential series of vertical slots 19 and which has its upper end fitted in a down-turned flange 20 provided on the fire pot top 14. A grate 21 completes the structure of the fire pot and is of conical form and has slots 22 therein. The lower end of the body portion 18 of the fire 66 pot engages a seat 23 provided on the grate 21. For holding the sections of the fire pot assembled lugs 24 and 25 are fixed to the top 14 and grate 21, respectively, and with these lugs 24 and 25 bolts and nuts 26 coact to fasten the sections of the fire pot in assembly.

With this construction the fire pot and deflector assembly is supported on the casing 1 well above the lower end of the same and a single set of brackets serves to properly support and retain properly positioned the fire pot, the spark deflector, and the feed throat. Moreover, the production of the heater is simplified as the deflector, fire pot and throat may be assembled exteriorly of the casing and easily placed and secured in position in the casing after the hopper 2 has been assembled with the casing.

An ash pan, designated generally at 30, is positioned in the casing 1 below the fire pot. As shown, the ash pan has an outwardly and upwardly tapering side wall 31, the upper edge of which engages under an inwardly directed circumferential corrugation 32 provided in the casing 1.

An inturned flange 33 is provided around 90 the lower edge of the side wall 31 and rests on and is welded to a supporting plate 34 which maintains the ash pan in position and also provides the bottom structure thereof. The supporting plate 34 has its flanged periphery held up against an inwardly directed circumferential corrugation 35 provided in the casing 1 by means of angular supporting members 36 interposed between the supporting plate 34 and a bottom designated gener- 100 ally at 37 and secured to these parts, if de sired. The portion of the ash pan 30 opposite the usual ash door 38 is cut away at 39 to permit of access to the interior of the pan and removal of the ashes therein. In- 105 tegral reinforcing wings 39 are provided along the edge of: the opening in the ash pan. The ash door 38 is of the usual vertical sliding type and is equipped with the usual lock, but, as all of this door structure is well known, 110 no detailed explanation is necessary.

The bottom 37 is removable and is made up of a layer of asbestos 40 held between metal plates 41 and 42 by means of a flange 42 formed integral with the plate and bent 115 around the edge of the asbestos layer and over the edge of the plate 41. The bottom 37 is supported on an internal ring or hoop 43 fitted into the lower end of the casing and releasably secured in position by bolts and 120 nuts 44. Certain of these bolts and nuts 44 may also be employed for fastening regular suporting legs 45 in position.

The casing 1 is provided with air inlet openings 47 between the bottom 37 and the 125 ash pan supporting plate 34 and this plate 34 has a series of openings 48 adjacent its periphery and located beyond the edge or bot tom of the ash pan 30. The body portion or wall 31 of the ash pan also has air ports or lzo openings 49 therein so that the air flowing in through the openings 47 passes through the openings 40 and then inwardly through the openings 49 into the combustion space or fire pot. The products of combustion pass through the slots of the fire pot and into the space between the fire pot and the casing and thence around the deflector collar 12 and the deflector 10, up to and out through outlet openings 50 formed in the casing 1 just below the hopper 2. The deflector 10 may also have a series of openings 10 to facilitate the pas sage of the gases on to the openings 50. The space provided within the heater and the defiectors insure complete combustion within the heater casing and prevent sparks from flying out through the openings 50. By varying the number or size or both of the openings 50 the draft may be regulated and consequently the heater may be made to run over varying periods of time.

A top plate 51 is provided for the upper end of the casing 1 and is seamed or connected to the casing as at 52. The top plate 51 is provided with a flanged opening 53 with which a cover 54 coacts, the cover being a snug fit to the flanged opening so as to have a substantially air tight joint therewith. For holding the cover in position a lock bar 55 is secured to the cover and has its ends projecting beyond the same and engageable' under keeper lugs 56 secured to the top plate.

The lock bar may be reinforced by a channel 55. To prevent the cover from being lost or displaced a chain 57 is provided and has one end connected as at 58 to the underside of the top plate 51 and has its other end connected as at 59 to the underside of the cover 54.

One of the important features of the present invention resides in the provision of novel means for cutting off the feed of the fuel and arresting the operation of the heater when this is desired. This means consists of a pair of swingable feed cut-off plates 60 pivotally hinged or pivotally connected to opposed side walls of the throat 6 adjacent the upper end of the throat. The pivotal connection of these closure plates 60 to the throat may be eifected in any suitable manner and the tions they underly the flange of the opening.

5 and do not obstruct the feed. When the plates 60 are raised to a horizontal position they completely block the passage through the throat, thus shutting off the feed of the fuel so that as soon as the fuel in the fire pot is consumed, the operation of the heater is arrested. For adjusting the plates a chain is provided and has branches 66 which connect to the plate 60. The chain passes through an opening provided in a cross strip or cross bar 67 fastened as at 68 to the casing 1. On the upper end of the chain a ring 69 is provided and the intermediate portion of the chain also has a ring designated at 70. These rings constitute stops for limiting the movement of the chain 65 in either direction and the ring 69 also constitutes a finger piece to facilitate manipulation of the chain. lVhen the ring 69 is grasped and the chain pulled upwardly the doors are pulled from their vertical position to a horizontal position and lift the charcoal or other fuel in the throat 6 to raise it above the fuel in the fire pot and isolate it therefrom. When the chain is raised to a position wherein the plates 60 are horizontal the ring 70 engages the cross bar 67 and prevents further upward movement of the chain. The chain is then moved over against the bar 67 and has its ring 69 engaged with a headed stud 71 provided on the cross bar, whereby the chain and the plates 60 are held in position. Of course, access to the chain is had through the opening 53 in the top of the casing when the cover 54 thereof is removed. This construction avoids any possibility of jamming or distorting the plates or the throat as there are no guides on which the plates may be stuck or jammed. The plates do not cut through the fuel but lift it up and this not only facilitates shutting ofi the feed but in addition spaces the unburned fuel in the hopper from the burning fuel in the fire pot thereby preeluding any possibility of the fuel in the a well as other elements within the lower end of the casing. With all prior constructions of this type it was necessary to disassemble practically the entire heater to make the repairs or replacements necessary under such circumstances but with applicants construction the bottom is readily removable, and it may be removed and the ash pan or associated elements replaced and repaired independently of the fire pot or the support for the fire pot or deflectors. This advantage follows not only from the feature of the removable bottom but also from the novel method of supporting the deflectors and the fire pot as a unit and from a point well above the lower end of the casing. Further, this mode of support of the deflectors and fire pot simplifies the problem of manufacture and assembly as above pointed out.

By circulating the air around the ash pan and passing it through openings in the side wall of the ash pan, the air is supplied in a very advantageous manner to the space directly below the fire pot and the ash pan and lower end of the heater is kept cool to reduce the fire hazard. The engagement of the ash pan with the casing not only contributes to these features but also limits the movement of the bottom into the casing thereby contributing to the proper positioning and support thereof.

It has been found advantageous with this type of heater to use a corrugated casing and yet the use of a corrugated casing is attendant with a very serious disadvantage. These car heaters are comparatively heavy and in some instances they must be lifted to the top of a box car and lowered through a trap door or hatchway in the box car top down in the compartment provided for the heater. In lowering the heaters into such compartments and in raising them out of the same they are slid over an edge or wall of the hatchway, and the corrugations catch in the edge of the hatchway and interfere with the easy insertion and removal of the heater. To obviate this difficulty and to strengthen and reinforce the heater casing, the present invention provides a pair of tracks 7 5 extending longitudinally of the casing and parallel to each other and located in rather closely spaced relation about the casing. Preferably these tracks 7 5 are in the form of angle bars and riveted to the casing. The edges of the outwardly extending flanges of these angle bars provide smooth continuous surfaces or run-ways which materially facilitate the insertion or removal of the heator into its compartment.

In addition to the foregoing the heater is equipped with the usual appurtenances and instrumentalities such as the usual side chains 81.

The heater is also provided with a swiveled lighting cup 80 fixed on the supporting arm pivoted on a bracket secured to the casing and swingable in a horizontal plane to a position Within the casing underlying the fire pot and also to a position wherein it projects out through the ash door opening. In this latter position it may be conveniently filled with inflammable fuel and may be utilized also to hold the ash door 38 elevated.

The invention claimed is ,1. A heater of the character described comprising a casing, a fire pot in said casing and including a fixed grate, a feed hopper operatively associated with the fire pot, feed cut-off means located above the fire pot and fixed grate and positionable to permit of feed of the fuel from the feed hopper to the fire pot and also positionable to cut off the feed and means located entirely within the casing but outside of and removed from the fire pot for operating said feed cut-off means.

2. A heater of the character described comprising a casing, a fire pot in said casing and including a grate, a feed hopper in said casing above said fire pot, a throat between the feed hopper and the fire pot, feed cut-oil means wholly contained in said throat and positionable in said throat to permit feed of the fuel from the hopper to the fire pot and also positionable in said throat to cut off the feed of fuel, and means entirely contained within said casing but outside of and removed from the fire pot for operating said feed cut-off means.

3. A heater of the character described comprising a casing, a fire pot in said casing, a feed hopper in said casing above said fire pot, a throat between the said hopper and the fire pot, feed cut-off means in said throat and comprising a pair of plates pivotally mounted on the throat and positionable against the walls of the throat to permit fuel feed and also positionable within the throat to obstruct the passage thereof and cut off the feed of fuel therethrough, and means contained entirely within the casing for operating the plates and for holding them in position to cut oil"; the feed of fuel to the fire pot.

a. A heater of the character described coinprising a casing, a fire pot in said casing a .feed hopper in said casing above said fire pot,

a throat between said feed hopper and said fire pot, and a feed cut-off plate swingably connected to the upper end portion of the throat and adapted to be vertically positioned against a wall of the throat to permit of fuel feed and also adapted to be positioned transversely of the throat to cut off the feed of fuel.

5. A heater of the character described comprising a casing, a fire pot in said casing, a feed hopper in said casing above said fire pot, a throat between said feed hopper and said fire pot, and a feed cut-elf plate swingably connected to the throat and adapted to be vertically positioned against a wall of the throat to permit of fuel feed and also adapted to be positioned transversely of the throat to cut oil the feed of fuel, said casing having an opening in its upper portion, an operating member for the plate accessible through said opening and entirely contained within the casing and outside of and removed from the fire pot in all adjustments, and means within the upper end portion of the casing and cooperable with the operating member for holding the operating member in adjusted position.

6. A heater of the character described comprising a casing, a fire pot in said casing, a feed hopper in said casing above said fire pot,

a throat between the said hopper and the fire pot, feed cut-off means in said throat and comprising a pair of plates pivotally mounted on the throat and positionable against the walls of the throat to permit fuel feed and also positionable to obstruct the passage through the throat to cut off the feed of fuel therethrough, and means contained entirely within the casing for operating the plates, and comprising a chain extending through the feed hopper and throat and con nected at its lower end with the plates, a bar supported within the upper end of the cats ing above the feed hopper and having means cooperable with the chain to hold it in its various adjustments.

7 A heater of the character described comprising a casing, a fire pot in said casing, a feed hopper in said casing above said fire pot, a throat between the said hopper and the fire pot, feed cut-off means in said throat and comprising a pair of plates pivotally mounted on the throat and positionable against the walls of the throat to permit fuel feed and also positionable to obstruct the passage through the throat to cut off the feed of fuel therethrough, and means contained entirely within the casing for operating the plates, and comprising a chain extending through the feed hopper and throat and connected at its lower end with the plates, a bar supported within the upper end of the casing above the feed hopper and having means cooperable with the chain to hold it in its various adjustments, and means for limiting the movement of the chain.

8. A heater of the character described comprising a casing, a fire pot in said casing, a feed hopper in said casing above said fire pot, a throat between said feed hopper and said fire pot having at least a section of rectangular cross section, a plurality of feed cut-off plates pivoted to opposed walls of said rectangular section of the throat, and means for adjusting said plates and for holding the ianie in position to cut ofl the feed of the 9. A heater of the character described comprising a casing, a hopper secured to the casing adjacent the upper end thereof, a fire pot, grade deflector and throat assembly connected together as a unit and positioned in the casing with the throat inter-engaged with the hopper, common supporting means for said assembly, and a bottom independently and releasably secured to the casing and removable independently of said assembly.

10. A heater of the character described comprising a casing, a fire pot in said casing, a fuel magazine above the fire pot, means providing a feed passage between the magazine and the fire pot and a swingable feed cutoff member located within the feed passage in all positions and positionable to permit fuel feed and also positionable to cut off the feed of fuel.

11. A heater of the character described comprising a casing, a fire pot in said casing, a fuel magazine above the fire pot, means affording a feed passage between the magazine and the fire pot, feed cut-01f means including a swingable plate located within the feed passage in all positions and positionable to permit fuel feed and also positionable to cut off the feed of the fuel, and operating means wholly contained within the casing but outside of and removed from the fire pot for adjusting the plate and holding the same in position to cut olf the feed of the fuel, said casing having an opening permitting access to the operating means.

12. A portable car heater dimensioned to pass through the hatch of a railway car comprising a bottom part, a casing extending upwardly from the bottom part and housing the heater elements, and skid members secured to the exterior of the casing longitudinally thereof to facilitate the passage of the heater into and from the car hatch.

In witness whereof, I hereto afiix my sig nature.

JULIUS GOETZ. 

